Though Charles Dickens isn’t required reading in many college classes, the men’s basketball team could certainly identify with the best of times and the worst of times in their game versus No. 23 New Mexico.

A strong first half punctuated by a last second three-pointer from sophomore guard Ronnie Moss to bring the Horned Frogs (10-12, 2-5 MWC) within two quickly faded into memory as the team lost 73-57 Saturday night at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum thanks to a subpar second-half performance.

After outshooting the Lobos (20-3, 6-2 MWC) from the field and beyond the arc in the first half while keeping the score close as the Lobos led 30-28 at halftime, the team came out flat from the locker room, especially on defense.

The Horned Frogs allowed 43 points to the Lobos in the second half as New Mexico shot 52 percent from the field and sank 15 of 17 free throw attempts.

“In the second half we just broke down defensively,” head coach Jim Christian said. “When guys get tired we need better production from our bench . it’s hard to find solid play on the bench on either end of the floor.”

Moss carried the Horned Frogs on his back during the game with a career-high 30 points to go with eight assists. He shot 12 of 17 from the field, the only Horned Frog to shoot over 50 percent in the game. Moss stayed consistent as the game went along, scoring 15 points in the second half.

After the game, Moss downplayed his performance and focused on the team aspect.
“It takes 40 minutes and five people to come out with a win,” Moss said. “We just have to play hard for 40 minutes.”

“(Losing) is not easy to take at all . we just have to stop making the mental mistakes, but we’re not going to quit at all,” Moss said.

Senior forward Zvonko Buljan scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The rest of the offense had a quiet night, with only one other player, senior forward Edvinas Ruzgas, tallying over five points.

New Mexico won the game at the line, sinking 20 out of an attempted 27 free throws on the night. The Horned Frogs mustered nine total free throw attempts during the game and made only two of them.

There was also a huge disparity in rebounding as the Lobos outboarded the Horned Frogs 40 to 25.

“We’ve got to improve in every area,” Jim Christian said. “We’re not playing solid basketball for 40 minutes and that’s been the case all year.”

New Mexico’s offense spread the ball out with three players scoring in double figures. Forward Roman Martinez had 16, guard Darington Hobson had 17 and guard Phillip McDonald had 18.

The Horned Frogs head to Provo to face No. 12 BYU on Tuesday.